Stealth-LX and the XL2

Donovan Cerminara · March 5th, 2007, 08:52 PM

After dealing with an uninformed (and uninterested) lackey at a Calgary camera shop masquerading as a digital video gear provider, (note my disdain), and suffering a delay of over 2 months in shipping, I was finally delighted to receive my Stealth-LX to combine with my Canon XL2.

However, once I plugged in the unit, I discovered that manual focus was only available in ONE direction, and a post-script on the one-page manual stated that the 'Autofocus' button did not work on the XL2.

Put simply, if you are seeking a LANC controller to control manual focus on your XL2, do not buy the Stealth-LX.

Hopefully the PRO-L solves this, or what's the point of having a LANC controller when zoom isn't much of an option in narrative indie filmmaking?

Donovan Cerminara · March 5th, 2007, 08:55 PM

I would like to add that Varizoom's page states the Stealth-LX's deficiency, when it comes to focus and the XL2, in the 'specifications' page, but doesn't really take pains to make that clear.

As my selection of the device occurred over two and a half months ago, I can't help but wonder when that update was made... And Varizoom, perhaps your suppliers could be better informed?

Anyways, still looking at the PRO-L. Fingers crossed!

Roger Moore · May 16th, 2007, 01:20 AM

I read somewhere that Lanc control of the AF (push AF for example) is not possible because the AF<>MF toggle on the lens barrel (both 20x and 3x) is a sliding switch.

I bought a lanc from ebay (a cheap model that comes attached to a tripod) that has +/- focus buttons.

They are good but inexact, useable for moving you to within 90-95% focus but fail to deliver tack sharpness because if you try to fine tune a nearly in focus image by pressing +/- you'll go past the mark because the button presses are too blunt.

I don't know how sensitive the zoom rockers on the more expensive lanc units are, but for manual focus via lanc to work you'd need to design something that had even more responsiveness to subtle finger movements. And I'm not sure that buttons or rockers would ever be able to duplicate the infinitesimal adjustments that you can make on a focus ring.

March 5th, 2007, 08:52 PM	#1
Donovan Cerminara New Boot Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 16	Stealth-LX and the XL2 After dealing with an uninformed (and uninterested) lackey at a Calgary camera shop masquerading as a digital video gear provider, (note my disdain), and suffering a delay of over 2 months in shipping, I was finally delighted to receive my Stealth-LX to combine with my Canon XL2. However, once I plugged in the unit, I discovered that manual focus was only available in ONE direction, and a post-script on the one-page manual stated that the 'Autofocus' button did not work on the XL2. Put simply, if you are seeking a LANC controller to control manual focus on your XL2, do not buy the Stealth-LX. Hopefully the PRO-L solves this, or what's the point of having a LANC controller when zoom isn't much of an option in narrative indie filmmaking? __________________ Donovan Cerminara Bull By the Horns Productions bullbythehorns@gmail.com

March 5th, 2007, 08:55 PM	#2
Donovan Cerminara New Boot Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 16	a post-script... I would like to add that Varizoom's page states the Stealth-LX's deficiency, when it comes to focus and the XL2, in the 'specifications' page, but doesn't really take pains to make that clear. As my selection of the device occurred over two and a half months ago, I can't help but wonder when that update was made... And Varizoom, perhaps your suppliers could be better informed? Anyways, still looking at the PRO-L. Fingers crossed! __________________ Donovan Cerminara Bull By the Horns Productions bullbythehorns@gmail.com

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May 16th, 2007, 01:20 AM	#3
Roger Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: toronto Posts: 99	I read somewhere that Lanc control of the AF (push AF for example) is not possible because the AF<>MF toggle on the lens barrel (both 20x and 3x) is a sliding switch. I bought a lanc from ebay (a cheap model that comes attached to a tripod) that has +/- focus buttons. They are good but inexact, useable for moving you to within 90-95% focus but fail to deliver tack sharpness because if you try to fine tune a nearly in focus image by pressing +/- you'll go past the mark because the button presses are too blunt. I don't know how sensitive the zoom rockers on the more expensive lanc units are, but for manual focus via lanc to work you'd need to design something that had even more responsiveness to subtle finger movements. And I'm not sure that buttons or rockers would ever be able to duplicate the infinitesimal adjustments that you can make on a focus ring.